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Canada's frigate replacement program has seen a string of cost increases since 2017, including a new 9% cost increase since last year.

Better science and technology solutions for a safer future – New challenges launched by the Canadian Safety and Security Program The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) has recently launched eight new challenges under the theme of Building robust safety and security capabilities through science and technology (S&T). These challenges aim to help address Canada's existing and emerging threats and risks in areas such as: Improving community resilience and responder capabilities Looking for better ways to verify and manage the identities of individuals Improving border security Enhancing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) capabilities and responses Countering the threat posed by uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) Submit your application by December 16, 2022. Apply now! Competitive Projects to launch new and exciting challenges through its next Call for Proposals! The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program will be launching four new challenges under its Competitive Projects element soon. These new challenges cover a wide scope of Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) needs including the Arctic domain, cognitive radio communications, human autonomy teaming, and just-in-time resupply of common medical equipment and devices in austere environments. Check back soon for more information including details on how to apply! Get ready for a robot showdown! The IDEaS program has selected five innovative finalists to demonstrate their advanced robotic platforms and methods of control for a chance to win cash prizes to further develop their technology! Stay tuned to find out more about this upcoming event and visit the Robot Round-up challenge page for more information on this contest.

October 26, 2022 – Halifax, N.S. – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Media are invited to attend the commissioning ceremony of His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Margaret Brooke in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 28. This event is the official welcome into active naval service for HMCS Margaret Brooke, the second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. WHEN: Friday, October 28, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. (Atlantic) WHERE: Jetty NJ, HMC Dockyard, Halifax, N.S. WHAT: Military leadership and civilian dignitaries will commission HMCS Margaret Brooke into the RCN Fleet. Commander Nicole Robichaud, Commanding Officer and members of the ship's company, will be available for interviews following the ceremony. Notes to editor / news director: All media interested in attending are asked to contact Lieutenant Commander Brian Owens, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maritime Forces Atlantic Public Affairs at 902-401-5529, or by email at brian.owens@forces.gc.ca. Media are requested to arrive at Admiral's Gate, HMC Dockyard, with photo identification no later than 12:30 p.m. (Atlantic) where they will be greeted and escorted to the site to cover the event. The ceremony will also be live streamed via the Royal Canadian Navy Facebook page at Royal Canadian Navy Facebook. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/10/the-royal-canadian-navy-commissions-hmcs-margaret-brooke.html

Bella Bella, British Columbia - Indigenous coastal communities share ties to Canada's oceans that span generations. Through the next phase of Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working with First Nations to further improve how we respond to marine emergencies. Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, and the Heiltsuk Nation announced the start of the Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team pilot project to enhance marine safety on the Central Coast of British Columbia. Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Canadian Coast Guard is providing over $5M to immediately launch a pilot project to support the development of the Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team. This team will be integrated into the federal marine preparedness and response system as a third-party responder to marine pollution incidents. The project will include engaging with community members, on-water exercises and training, procuring equipment, and developing response strategies within the Heiltsuk territory. This is one of several collaborations between the Canadian Coast Guard and the Heiltsuk Nation.The Government of Canada and the Heiltsuk Nation continue to work together to enhance the Nation's role in marine environmental response to provide emergency response capacity on the coast of British Columbia. Building on several years of collaborative discussions, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in March 2021, formalizing a commitment between the Nation and the Government of Canada to enhance community spill response capacity, including development of the Heiltsuk Marine Emergency Response Team. The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. A renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-coast-guard/news/2022/10/canadian-coast-guard-and-the-heiltsuk-nation-announce-5-million-pilot-project-to-support-development-of-heiltsuk-marine-response-team.html

The assembly line for howitzers was shut down years ago by the manufacturer because of a lack of orders, and it would have to be restarted.

Officials in Ottawa have taken their time in reviewing the Canadian Surface Combatant design because the one ship class must do it all.

October 20, 2022 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced that Logistik Unicorp based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, has been awarded a contract to provide operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This contract, valued at up to $3.7 billion over 20 years, will support over 3000 jobs in Canada's clothing, footwear and textile industries. This investment will deliver approximately 1,222 different items of clothing and footwear worn by CAF members during their deployments, including: · combat uniforms using Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) camouflage, badges and insignias, footwear including combat boots, arid/hot weather boots, and mukluks, · winter gear such as parkas, headwear and hand wear, soldiers' personal equipment, such as sleeping bags and day packs. This contract will deliver supplies for more than 160,000 people, including Regular and Reserve Force members, Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers, search and rescue technicians, firefighters and Cadets. This contract also contains provisions to enable the ad hoc procurement of equipment required for unexpected deployment operations – such as the immediate supply of Personal Protective Equipment during critical emergencies. Today's Operational Clothing and Footwear Consolidated Contract (OCFC2) represents a new approach to supplying the operational gear that the CAF needs to succeed on domestic and international operations. Once the contract is fully implemented, members will be able to order items online and have orders shipped to their door, while also providing the CAF with the ability to continue distributing uniforms directly to units. This new approach will deliver better resource and inventory management for the CAF, improve item availability, and provide better value for taxpayers. This project will deliver concrete economic benefits to Quebecers and all Canadians. Logistik Unicorp will invest in research and development and skills training in the textile, apparel and footwear sectors, which will generate additional jobs and export opportunities. Logistik Unicorp must also conform to mandatory Canadian content requirements by ensuring that the majority of manufacturing of clothing and footwear items is done in Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to providing the CAF with the equipment and tools that they need to serve Canada domestically and internationally. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/10/minister-anand-announces-investment-of-up-to-37-billion-to-supply-operational-clothing-and-footwear-to-the-canadian-armed-forces0.html

Canada’s hold on the outer reaches of its Arctic territory is “tenuous” and will face significant challenges from both Russia and China in the future, the country’s top military commander warned a parliamentary committee on Tuesday.

National Defence and top firms that produce arms, such as Lockheed Martin, are financing a conference in Ottawa on Oct. 25.